tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68168674194968137592018-03-06T09:34:56.521-05:00Beyond the Photography by DonnaKayAnother option beyond my Photography by DonnaKay blog... Life is real...and this is where I share about all the real things that touch me in life.DonnaKay Johnsonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-12545703439325285702012-05-03T20:24:00.000-04:002012-05-03T20:24:00.331-04:00Postponed Nuptials...<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photographybydonnakay.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://photographybydonnakay.com/blog</span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">So here we are.&nbsp; Right from the start let me tell you that this blog doesn't come with any pictures or names (other than me and my Mom!).... I promised to share a particular time in my life, and you have returned to read more&nbsp; {and hopefully get to know me just a little better.} I'm sure at this point my Mom would be cringing, wishing I would just keep my mouth shut (or stop moving my fingers across the keyboard, as it would be in this instance!) But I'm all about sharing... not for any kind of shock factor.&nbsp; Rather, to let someone else know in their own times of sadness, disappointment, betrayal, or <i>whatever</i> tough time they may be experiencing that they are not alone.&nbsp; Someone else has gone through something similar - maybe even worse, or possibly a little better.&nbsp; Ok... enough stalling.&nbsp; On with the story...</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">I was always in love with <i>being in love</i> when I was a teenager.&nbsp; Always daydreaming of how romantic my soulmate would be... and looking at each cute boy as if maybe he was <i>the one</i> coming for me.&nbsp; And honestly, I had some very sweet boyfriends... most of whom I look back upon very fondly and would be proud to consider them my friends even today.&nbsp; But there was one whom I was more than crazy about from the time I was about 10-yrs-old.&nbsp; We basically grew up together.&nbsp; So it really shouldn't have been a surprise when we started dating when we were 17.&nbsp; We were together through our Senior year of high school, and honestly probably missed out on much of the "Senior" experience because we were too serious too fast.&nbsp; But you can't tell kids anything! Much to our parents horror, he proposed 3 weeks after we graduated high school.&nbsp; And of course, I said Yes.&nbsp; Growing up I was always the girlie-girl, and weddings were no different.&nbsp; I had been buying Brides Magazine for years - longer than Glamour or any of the other magazines teenage girls have to have!&nbsp; And right away I started planning our perfect wedding.&nbsp; Of course, if you know me it will not surprise you that my bridesmaids dresses were purple - and there was purple in absolutely everything to do with my wedding.&nbsp; We scheduled the wedding for about 11 months after we were engaged, so there was a lot of time to plan and prepare.&nbsp; My life was going to finally be complete.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm quite the stubborn personality - I think that's not too surprising to anyone - so there was no talking me into waiting a little longer, being a bit older, or anything...this was what we wanted right then, and in our minds we were grown-ups all the way!&nbsp; But life has a funny way of showing us sometimes just how different things are than what we might want them to be. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">About 3-4 weeks before our wedding was to happen... after all of the decisions have been made, deposits have all been paid, invitations mailed, dresses have not only been ordered - but have arrived and had all but final fittings... my fiance told me that he wanted to postpone for a year or two.&nbsp; He definitely didn't want to break up...just wait a little while longer for the wedding.&nbsp; He pointed out that just maybe we were a little too young to get married and take on so much responsibility. Nothing had to change at all between us... just the wedding date.&nbsp; <i>Devastation</i> does not even begin to describe what I felt. {It was a little while after all of these events that I found out there was a bit more to the story... that his parents had orchestrated the entire postponement, and had made the offer too enticing for him to pass up... but that's for another blog!} </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">It was at that time in my life that I saw a side of my Mother that I had never seen before.&nbsp; I saw the side of her that would one day become my friend.&nbsp; As a mother of grown children myself now, I know how I would have felt in that same situation.&nbsp; I'd have done some kind of dance of victory - knowing that my child was too young to understand exactly what they were getting into at such a young age {while at the same time ready to whoop whoever had just broken their heart!}&nbsp; How unprepared they really were - and just wanting them to have a more realistic view of the decisions they were making at that time.&nbsp; (And please don't think I am against young marriage - but I also do know that I really did not have a realistic grasp on the decisions I was making!) But my Mom let me lay in my bed and cry my heart out for a couple of days... she let me have my time to mourn the situation.&nbsp; (During that time she handled all of the cancellations, and she lost quite a bit of money in deposits.&nbsp; But she never said a word about any of it.) Then after a couple of days she came into my room - she opened the curtains and let the sunshine flood in - and she said "Ok, DonnaKay, you've had enough time to cry about this... Get up!&nbsp; It's time to find a way to move on."&nbsp; So we packed up some clothes and went to the beach for a few days!&nbsp; It was the only time in my life that my Mom and I packed up and went on a trip - just the two of us.&nbsp; It was early May, and it was very breezy and cool - but we left my hurt behind, and made the best of a few days away. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">I look back on this time in my life and I can't help but smile.&nbsp; Even though there was the pain of such disappointment, I also have so many good memories, and of course there is the "what if's" that come to my mind.&nbsp; But I see how this was one of those experiences that molded me in many ways into the strong woman I have become in my life.&nbsp; And I understand how this boys parents didn't want their young son to jump into marriage at such a tender age. I would have felt the same way when my kids were that age. And there are so many priceless lessons that I've taken from this period in my life.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">Ok... so now you know I was basically a <i>jilted bride</i>!&nbsp; But I smile at the memories... and I cherish the lessons and growth that they brought to my life.&nbsp; Most of all I learned that sometimes when bad things happen they can be the best thing for us in the end. &nbsp; &nbsp; </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">&nbsp; </span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-24000612846819995392012-05-03T09:40:00.002-04:002012-05-03T09:40:31.816-04:00Ready for MORE???<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://photographybydonnakay.com/blog</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Writing to an unknown audience has both positives and negatives.&nbsp; You're never sure who is learning about secrets and possibly vulnerable times in your life -- but on the other hand, you also never know who might read something that correlates with something in their <i>own</i> life and might possibly help them through a tough time.&nbsp; I'm a pretty transparent person.&nbsp; That is hard for some people in my life - they believe that I might should keep things a bit more private.&nbsp; But I tried that route for a long time, and it simply didn't make things easier to deal with for anyone.&nbsp; When I decided to start sharing more with others, I found that people would get in touch with me somehow and let me know that something I had shared actually <i>helped them in their own life</i>!&nbsp; And that made me feel like maybe what I had gone through was somehow <i>not in vain</i>.&nbsp; It had a purpose, even if it was just to be able to help someone else.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">My life has had enough adventure, heartbreaks, disappointments and even happy times to keep this blog going for a long time.&nbsp; So get comfortable and let's see what comes up today!! Forewarning, though: I will change names and possibly some some important things (people, dates, places, etc) if necessary - because I certainly don't want to bring any embarrassment or unwanted attention to anyone else.&nbsp; What I'm writing about is <i>my experience</i>. So I hope you can appreciate and respect that for me and for them {thank you upfront!}&nbsp; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up I was always a very passionate person.&nbsp; Even as a child I was quite mature and passionate.&nbsp; At 2, I knew that I wanted to grow up and be a Mommy.&nbsp; It was actually the job (after go-go dancer) that I would tell people I wanted when they would ask that dreaded question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"&nbsp; I was also always quite the girly-girl.&nbsp; Wanting to shave my legs, wear panty hose (what was I thinking?!!!), pain my nails, and thinking my life would be simply perfect once I was able to wear make-up without sneaking!&nbsp; But what I wasn't prepared for was some of the heartache that also comes with growing up - and actually just life in general. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned earlier, there were many heartaches and disappointments along the way.&nbsp; Many broken hearts...and I will share a few along this blogging journey.&nbsp; But probably one that made the most long-lasting impression on me was the postponed wedding.&nbsp; And that is what I will share in my next blog.&nbsp; So I hope you will return... and comment, share, something!&nbsp; Hey, guys, it's like I'm standing here baring my soul to you... I need some feedback!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please have an awesome day.&nbsp; Click "Follow" to be alerted of when I publish a new blog, or check back frequently.&nbsp; But I'll very soon share even more of my life with you. &nbsp; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-76780707651059705012012-05-02T13:20:00.002-04:002012-05-02T13:24:51.045-04:00Not In Vain<div style="text-align: center;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://photographybydonnakay.com/blog</div><br />It has definitely been a while since I've written on this blog... and I have missed it so much.&nbsp; It's not that there's been nothing to write about, but more that life has been busy.&nbsp; Sometimes I'm just not sure how much to share - or how much to keep to myself.&nbsp; But honestly, I truly believe sharing is my way of dealing with things - but also hopefully a way to offer help and hope to others who may be experiencing some of the same things I go through in my own life. <br /><br />This is my personal blog page... it's Beyond Photography by DonnaKay, because I AM Photography by DonnaKay.&nbsp; Yes, it is technically my photography business... but being a photographer is definitely a part of WHO I am as a person, a woman, a mother, a wife... and all of the other descriptions that could be used to define me. <br /><br />So let's jump ahead to the past couple of days in my life.&nbsp; I had to drive to the beach to go to court for someone I love dearly.&nbsp; And I would probably have driven to the moon and back if that was what it took to lend my support.&nbsp; (thankfully that wasn't required!)&nbsp; Much to our disappointment the DA got the trial continued... and we will have to do it all again in the not-to-far-off future.&nbsp; But the trip wasn't in vain.&nbsp; Nothing ever really has to be in vain, does it?&nbsp; There are always lessons that can be learned... friendships that can be made... kindnesses that can be bestowed.&nbsp; And I have learned to not waste any of my moments in life. <br /><br />This trip I was able to meet some new people... and hopefully they are people who will remain a part of my life.&nbsp; Parents who are struggling with the pain they've experienced through all of the events leading up to the weekend.&nbsp; No one will probably ever know the extent of what they have been through, and of how much their hearts have hurt from it all.&nbsp; But if there are things I've learned myself as a parent, they definitely include: 1) NO family is perfect; 2) our kids may disappoint us, but they are still always our kids, and we NEVER stop loving them; and 3) never, ever give up hope that consequences will help bring someone back to what is right. <br /><br />Hold on through the tough times... those are the times you are growing the most, developing character that will make you WHO you are.&nbsp; Don't let them tear you down or destroy you -- you can get through them.&nbsp; And you don't have to ever be alone. <br /><br />Here's a picture taken outside of the courthouse... I, of course, was behind the camera (my happy place!!!) - but these people touched my life over the past couple of days.&nbsp; And that is a good thing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKXaMOtT4Xc/T6FsyKb71dI/AAAAAAAAAi0/JYVG0oIwcLA/s1600/unity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKXaMOtT4Xc/T6FsyKb71dI/AAAAAAAAAi0/JYVG0oIwcLA/s1600/unity.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Have a GREAT day!!!DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-61281625845582229092012-03-01T03:52:00.000-05:002012-03-01T16:14:48.915-05:00Spillin' it in the middle of the night...<div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It has definitely been a long time since I've written on this blog.&nbsp; I switched my blogs over to my Website with the intention of driving up visibility of that page... but simply, I haven't had time to write on any of them in a while regardless. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I write this, it is the middle of the night - and I woke wide awake from a deep sleep all of a sudden.&nbsp; My mind full of thoughts - and unable to go back to sleep.&nbsp; So what better way to deal with a full mind of thoughts than to write them down... share them with someone else (whoever that may be!)... and hopefully sleep will return at that point.&nbsp; We shall see...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The past several weeks have been overwhelming in so many ways.&nbsp; Actually, I guess I could say the past years have been overwhelming in even more ways.... but it would take a novel rather than a blog-page to include all of that!&nbsp; For now I will stay with just the events of my last few weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had a friend who hurt you?&nbsp; They said something or did something and honestly, it just broke your heart... cut to the core of your feelings?&nbsp; I had that happen...well, I've had it happen many times in my life, but the time I write of now was last year.&nbsp; But I had finally gotten to a place of accepting what was, moving on from the extreme hurt of it, and knowing that I didn't want to go back.&nbsp; So how do you handle it when they come back?&nbsp; Not to say "hey, I was wrong to say what I did... or to do what I did..." but rather to ask a huge favor of you?&nbsp; My humanness wanted to say "um, NO" but the part of me that believes with all of my heart in forgiveness (even if it's not asked for) and second chances... that believes I have a choice in my actions and reactions... well, that part said "yes... I'll do what I can to help you."&nbsp; Needless to say, the favor was exhausting... but the feelings and the hurt that it all brought back to the surface have been even more exhausting.&nbsp; The disappointment that this person doesn't even seem to realize what they did to me... that I matter that little... has been actually rather heartbreaking again on a certain level.&nbsp; And now I am in a place that is past the favor - and once again trying to figure out how to move on from here.&nbsp; My hopes are not raised - reality is still there - and lessons learned bring me much thankfulness.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along with that in my last few weeks has also been a session with <i><b>Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep</b></i> that brought so much sadness to my heart.&nbsp; I imagine that this was a different case than I'll probably deal with very often.&nbsp; The expectant mother had called back before Christmas... her baby was found to have a genetic condition that would not allow him to live.&nbsp; He would most likely die at some point during the pregnancy... and she would find out at either a check-up or when labor started that he was gone.&nbsp; She had found out about NILMDTS and wanted to arrange for me to be there through her labor... the hope was that he would be born alive - even if for only a moment and long enough to hear a cry.&nbsp; A couple of weeks ago, actually on a day when I was leaving to go out of town for an extended weekend, I got the call at 5:30 am that her water had broken... she was on her way to the hospital.&nbsp; Could I get there?&nbsp; I borrowed a little more time, knowing she had to get checked in, be seen by the doctor, get settled into her room... but as much as I wanted just a <i>little</i> more sleep, I was up and in the shower soon and then on my way to the hospital.&nbsp; It was a long day... the morning brought pain right away, as the baby went from a very weak heartbeat to <b>no</b> heartbeat while we all waited with the mom hopeful he would at least take one breath...one cry.&nbsp; And his birth brought such a sadness... seeing his beautiful face, the reality that he existed and all the love that Mother felt was real for her child... and at that same moment having to tell him goodbye, even though he had already left a short time before.&nbsp; There are no words to adequately describe the sadness, the disappointment, and the thankfulness I felt in my own heart that I had never had to experience the pain I was watching her go through.&nbsp; As that was the last day I had before a lot of busy days set in, it has been up to now that I've worked when I could on the images from that day... editing them to bring them to a place where they will hopefully bring bittersweet joy, healing, validation of his existence to a family who lost their child before even having a chance to know him.&nbsp; The images have certainly brought me many tears, prayers, wishes and hope already, and I am humbled to have been a part of their life through this experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: large;">Now, without divulging too many exact details of the past few weeks, I am still awake at 3:45 am... sleep eludes me for some reason, and I wonder if I am to lay quietly in the dark and listen to the hum of the humidifier, or get up and read quietly... but what I do know is that although there is hurt and pain all around me, there is also a quiet peace in my heart.&nbsp; A peace that I believe comes from God... to let me know that my persistence in trying is worth it... that <b>He</b> sees it.&nbsp; And knowing that even now... awake at this too-early hour... <i>I am not alone</i>.&nbsp; <i>He is always with me</i>.&nbsp; </span>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-75553186387996825862012-02-24T12:05:00.006-05:002012-02-24T12:05:55.014-05:00Tough Things Can Be the Most Rewarding<div style="text-align: center;">MOVED!!!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photographybydonnakay.com/blog/?load/blog_detail/page/39523/item/115/the-tough-things-can-be-the-most-rewarding" target="_blank">http://photographybydonnakay.com/blog/?load/blog_detail/page/39523/item/115/the-tough-things-can-be-the-most-rewarding </a></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-83098308861746934602012-01-20T14:10:00.000-05:002013-01-16T18:40:53.786-05:00Seems like forever.... or yesterday....<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">This blog was originally written and published a year ago<span style="font-size: x-large;">.&nbsp; Today <span style="font-size: x-large;">marks the 11th anniversary... and as I was going to write a blog entry, I re<span style="font-size: x-large;">alized that the <span style="font-size: x-large;">words were all <span style="font-size: x-large;">the same.<span style="font-size: x-large;">&nbsp; Let me <span style="font-size: x-large;">share this again...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">Today is in many ways just another day.&nbsp; It's a very special day, as one of my very best friends celebrates her birthday on this day.&nbsp; But then there is a sadness that looms over me on this day as well.&nbsp; Ten years ago I lost my Grandmother on this day... and I will never forget it.&nbsp; January 16th is a very bittersweet day... as I <i>have</i> to celebrate Allison's birthday, because I love her and she has always been such a special friend to me.&nbsp; It doesn't make much sense why it couldn't have been another day that had to take my Grandmother away from my life.&nbsp; But then, there really wasn't a good day anyway.&nbsp; Ironically, the two women who stake a claim in making this an important day on my calendar are both women who mean the world to me in some way or another.&nbsp; Allison and I were best friends growing up -- and I still love her to death.&nbsp; Life has taken us in directions that keep us from being able to see each other often - but I know if I ever need her, she's always there (and she knows that about me as well.)&nbsp; My Grandmother... well, she might just be best described as my soulmate.&nbsp; She was the closest person to me... I find a lot of things I do (bad and good!) remind me of my Grandmother.&nbsp; She <i>never </i>met a stranger, she laughed all the time, she would get so angry she would cry, she had a very hard time giving up on someone, she loved with all of her heart - and she loved unconditionally, she <i>always</i> lost track of time.... she believed in forgiveness, and she got more <span _mce_style="font-size: x-large;"><b>joy</b></span> from helping someone else than <i>ever </i>doing something for herself.&nbsp; She didn't like to be in the spotlight, but would rather be invisible.&nbsp; To me, she was very close to perfection... and I embrace the similarities in us. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">Ten years is a long time, and so much has happened in that time.&nbsp; For years after she was gone, I would wake up needing to speak to her.&nbsp; That was common, because that was always the way it was.&nbsp; If something was on my mind, or something bad was going on in life, I would wake wanting to talk to her.&nbsp; So after she was gone, having that feeling would often start my day in tears... having to realize again that I couldn't speak to her.&nbsp; I wonder constantly what she would think about some things... about how my kids have grown up, and what they are each doing with their lives.&nbsp; I can imagine her laughing about something that happens, or see her crying because of a disappointment or a hurt.&nbsp; I imagine her passion or anger over an injustice, and sometimes it makes me laugh or cry!&nbsp; So often I want to ask her opinion about something... but honestly, I already know what she would have to say most of the time.&nbsp; I just would love to hear her voice.&nbsp; A couple of months ago I woke up sobbing... I had dreamt that she had come to talk to me, and it was so real... and it broke my heart when she had to go, and I had to wake up.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">I'm thankful for the 36 years that I had with her in my life... and there is no way to even imagine the different person I would be had she not been there all of those years.&nbsp; She helped make me who I am.&nbsp; She made me a stronger woman.&nbsp; She molded me into a woman of integrity and strong faith.&nbsp; She reinforced my beliefs, and she helped me believe in myself.&nbsp; She taught me to love completely - and how to have righteous anger about something.&nbsp; And she taught me how to forgive - and how to ask for forgiveness.&nbsp; My life would not have been the same these past 10 years if she hadn't been in it the 36 years before.&nbsp; And as much as I miss her now (the sobs choke in my throat as I write this, and my heart skips from the sadness of missing her) I would rather have the memory of those 36 years with her along with the pain of missing her... than to have never had her at all.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">Embrace the people who are special to you.&nbsp; It makes me sad that some people don't have someone like her in their life... someone to help make them a better person.&nbsp; But it makes me even sadder to see those that DO have someone in their life, but they ignore it or don't take seriously how important that person is.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: medium;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">Ten years has flown by... and I look forward to the day when I will be reunited with my Grandmother.&nbsp; But for now, I want to live my life fully.&nbsp; I want to live my faith loudly.&nbsp; I pray that my life will leave the legacy of love that my Grandmother's life has left. And I thank God today for special people - and special days.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: medium;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;">Here are a few pictures of my sweet Grandmother.... Lenora Christopher Swink.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: medium;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfH8cDHveck/Txm7C1ewkmI/AAAAAAAAAhM/xCgS6LBTPCY/s1600/family006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="445" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfH8cDHveck/Txm7C1ewkmI/AAAAAAAAAhM/xCgS6LBTPCY/s640/family006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is my Grandmother with my oldest son, Tommy.&nbsp;&nbsp; Whatever the kids were doing, she was right in the middle of it with them!!&nbsp; So if they had bubble guns, she did to.... laser tag, she was right in the middle of it with them.&nbsp; There are none more special than she will always be!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fL9dY028SA0/Txm7DYp76oI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Qgq7BMxklxQ/s1600/k%2526l1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fL9dY028SA0/Txm7DYp76oI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Qgq7BMxklxQ/s640/k%2526l1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEf86QnfEWo/Txm7EMkL82I/AAAAAAAAAhc/TApI05Tkbhw/s1600/k%2526l2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEf86QnfEWo/Txm7EMkL82I/AAAAAAAAAhc/TApI05Tkbhw/s640/k%2526l2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 2 pics were on at my mother's house on the porch.... my Grandmother and I shared hating having our pictures made.&nbsp; She would tolerate it, but I laugh at how she was always awkward on that side of the lens -- that's just how I am too!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span _mce_style="font-size: medium;"><span _mce_style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-58622764638890676602012-01-10T00:50:00.000-05:002012-01-10T00:50:12.937-05:002nd Chances...(and 3rd...and 4th...)<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">How many <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">2nd</span></b> chances do you give someone when they hurt or disappoint you in some way?&nbsp; This is quite a tricky question for most people.&nbsp; There are lots of people who believe there are <b>NO</b> 2nd chances for some sins... basically it comes down to what the offense was that is in question.&nbsp; I can certainly understand that... and am in no way standing in judgement of anyone's opinion about the matter.&nbsp; I'm just here to talk about where I come from on all of this... and some of the reasons why. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not perfect.&nbsp; Ok - so it's out there now.&nbsp; Seriously - I've made so many mistakes in my life I couldn't even begin to number them or name them all!&nbsp; I have disappointed people along the way... I have hurt people at times {sometimes too many times!}&nbsp; And lots of times I have been forgiven... but there are also times that I have not been forgiven.&nbsp; Relationships {even friendships} have ended.&nbsp; And that hurt me.&nbsp; .... so, what have I learned along the way?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone that knows me will hopefully agree that I am a woman of faith... I am a Christian, and my faith hopefully defines <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">who</span></span> I am and <span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; font-size: x-large;">how</span> I live my life.&nbsp; That being said, there is a <b>lot</b> in the Bible about forgiveness.&nbsp; Not only <b>MY</b> forgiveness, but about <b>ME</b> forgiving <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">others</i></span>.&nbsp; But I'm moving beyond that {even though I don't think there needs to be any other reason for me to believe in 2nd chances....}</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever ended a relationship because someone hurt you?&nbsp; And not in a case where they had hurt you over and over again and proved they were beyond change... or in an instance where you had seen this was really not a great person to have in your life... but <i>rather</i> because you were just <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">stubborn or prideful</span></span> {or whatever word you want to use} and you just were <b>NOT</b> going to give that person a 2nd chance to make a fool of you...?&nbsp; Well... <i>I have done that too</i>!&nbsp; And, honestly, I have also lived to regret that decision quite often.&nbsp; Time passed... life continued... hurt dissolved... <i>and I missed my friend</i>.&nbsp; I missed what I had so easily given up.&nbsp; <i>Sometimes</i> {and I mean that in a "not so often" kind of sometimes} you can ask forgiveness yourself in such an instance... have another chance at the relationship.&nbsp; But most often the real damage is done and the relationship is never the same.&nbsp; This is a very sad thing to happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">But back to my admission that I'm NOT perfect... {yes... makes me very uncomfortable to keep coming back to this... but I DO have a point!}&nbsp; If I have hurt someone... and have seen that I can actually learn from the hurt and disappointment I have brought to someone else and grow into a better person who would NOT do such a thing again... then why can't I believe that someone else is also capable of such change?&nbsp; Hmmmm.... good question!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Certainly... there are instances with some people that it's just best to learn a lesson... call it an end.&nbsp; There are bad people in this world, and when we are shown someone's true colors {and they turn out to be the bad colors} then be thankful for the lesson... and move on.&nbsp; BUT... when it is a case of someone truly making a bad decision... someone making a mistake or being stupid or <i>whatever you want to call it</i>... Really think about whether you want to lose them for good in your life.&nbsp; Or whether maybe a 2nd, 3rd or 4th chance is maybe the better decision to make.&nbsp; The biggest point I'm trying to make in all of this is that you just <b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">STOP</span></span></b> and <b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">THINK</span></span></b>.&nbsp; Please don't let pride or stubbornness play a part in your decision.&nbsp; Dignity {in this way} is overrated.&nbsp; I truly believe we can miss out on our greatest relationships because we will not forgive and give someone another chance.&nbsp; And when you think "they don't deserve another chance..." just think of how it is when it's <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>YOU</b></span> wanting just one more chance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span> </span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-90873605440137558012011-12-31T11:50:00.000-05:002011-12-31T11:50:06.902-05:00Making Resolutions....well, kind of...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">"Should auld acquaintance be forgot,</span><br style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;" /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">and never brought to mind&nbsp;?</span><br style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;" /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">Should auld acquaintance be forgot,</span><br style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;" /><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">and auld lang syne?</span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">"</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">All over the world this song will be sung in some form or language.&nbsp; New Year's is such a time of celebration for many people.&nbsp; I have had big celebrations that I will remember forever, and very small ones that were just as another day.&nbsp; There have those New Year's that I wish I could get back and do over... and those that I would wish to never remember.&nbsp; But <i>always</i> I have a feeling of reflection at some point through the period. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">New Year's <i>is</i> such a time of reflection, hope, wishes and dreams.&nbsp; It's a time to <b>let go</b> of the bad and tough times of the previous year that is drawing to an end, and <b>grab onto</b> the good that can possibly come during the New Year that's now upon you.&nbsp; For some reason that single night brings tears to so many eyes, because there is a special hope that comes upon you... hope for something better. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">For many people the yearly tradition is to set <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>resolutions</b></span>.&nbsp; I've set {and broken} more resolutions than I would care to even list.&nbsp; But <i>this</i> year I decided to handle it in another way. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"></span><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rather than resolve to lose weight, I hope to be healthier in the new year.&nbsp; If weight loss comes along with that, then that will be an added reward. But I hope to live with habits that will make me feel better, sleep better, and feel healthier than ever before.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></i></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of resolving to pay off all debt, I'm hoping to just be smarter about the way I make spending choices.&nbsp; I pray for financial blessings, but also pray for guidance in the stewardship with what I do have.&nbsp;</span></span></i></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pray for the ability to give more to others... not just in a financial or material way, but of myself.&nbsp; And that my giving comes from a heart of love - because I have been blessed so greatly.&nbsp; And I pray that each time I give of myself that God would grow me a little bit more into a better person - a kinder person.</span></span></i></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pray to be an even stronger person in 2012.&nbsp; That I am able to lean on God through every trial - rather than try to deal on my own and eventually realize that HE was there to help me the whole time.&nbsp; And I pray I will keep forefront in my mind that I can get through whatever I need to - that I am never alone, and God will give me whatever I need to deal with things in life.</span></span></i></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pray that the opinions and words of other people will not matter so much to me... that I will welcome advice and words given in love and sincerity, but those in a mean spirit will bounce off of me a little bit better.&nbsp; And that I will not allow in myself a vengeful spirit - but one of pity and sadness {and sincerely pray} for the person who needs to be so unkind, realizing that obviously they are unhappy in their own life.&nbsp; </span></span></i></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MOST OF ALL</b></span> I pray that I am a kinder and better person in 2012. That I smile more - and laugh more - and appreciate more.&nbsp; I pray that I remember all of the blessings God has given me in my life - rather than dwelling on the negative things that have come along the way.&nbsp; Even through the negatives, God has brought so many blessings. And I pray that I live a life that touches other peoples lives... that I bring happiness to others through the way I live my life.&nbsp; And <b>that</b> will make me a successful person in every way!&nbsp; </span></span></i></span></li></ul><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you move into 2012 (or if you already have arrived when you read this!) I pray for YOU that it is with strength and integrity and a mind of endurance...&nbsp; ready to face this year head on. Make it the best ever.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!&nbsp; May 2012 be a year of blessing for you! &nbsp; </span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span><i><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;"> </span></i></span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-32754422960365443632011-12-29T11:01:00.001-05:002011-12-29T11:01:05.138-05:00Hope and Newness of a New Year<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I37BweP6nQ8/TvyOfuKoluI/AAAAAAAAAg4/RS7EYWr3SGs/s1600/IMG_7068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I37BweP6nQ8/TvyOfuKoluI/AAAAAAAAAg4/RS7EYWr3SGs/s640/IMG_7068.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Only a few more days until the big New Year's celebration.&nbsp; Out with 2011 - and in with 2012.&nbsp; For <i>me</i> New Year's is always a time full of hope...a time of putting away the bad memories of a year that is ending and moving into a year of making good memories.&nbsp; After all, when those bad memories do come to mind they will now have the date "2011" attached to them, and I will be living in 2012!&nbsp; The New Year is a time of promise... there are new chances, new opportunities, new adventures. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Several years ago I was very blessed to bring in the New Year in <b>New York City</b> - it was definitely a dream come true!&nbsp; I was 39-yrs-old, and was there to bring in the New Year as well as my 40th birthday (which happens to be January 2).&nbsp; Can you believe that somehow on New Year's Eve we ended up in the very front coral - right at the main stage!?&nbsp; There are a lot of less than awesome things I could share about that afternoon and evening (like how <i>badly</i> I had to pee - and you couldn't leave once you were in there unless you didn't want to come back.... or how <b>COLD</b> it was {it was even snowing some of the time!}...).... but the awesomeness was the part I remember the most.&nbsp; It was snowing - and snow is something else that makes me think of hope and newness.&nbsp; The crowds were incredible - but everyone was kind to one another.&nbsp; And when the ball finally dropped, and the confetti started falling from heaven and all you could hear from anyone around was "Happy New Year" I could not help but to have tears running down my frozen face.&nbsp; And it was amazing to look around and see so many other people with tears in their eyes, running down their cheeks.&nbsp; It was simply magical.&nbsp; The feeling that something had truly clicked over from 2005 to 2006 and had brought MORE hope and MORE promise for a better year... new chances... new opportunities... it was incredible. And most incredible was sharing it with over a million other people right there in New York City.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year, wherever you are when the countdown starts, try not to include the negative things about 2011 in your thoughts of hopes and wishes.&nbsp; Concentrate on the <i>NEW</i> hopes, wishes and dreams that come with the New Year.&nbsp; And pray that the negative things of 2011 stay right there in that past.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's only December 29th.... so please come back again, as I'm sure I'll have a lot more to write about New Year's in the next few days! &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for being here with me.... and I truly hope you'll stay with me in the New Year!!! &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><i> </i></span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-84722734312342481762011-12-27T00:06:00.001-05:002012-01-10T23:13:07.509-05:00Hold Them Close....<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-em7qywMNrgA/TvlR-QzaWOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TrShcto-9Uw/s1600/untitled+shoot-199Xmas2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-em7qywMNrgA/TvlR-QzaWOI/AAAAAAAAAgs/TrShcto-9Uw/s1600/untitled+shoot-199Xmas2011.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone who is close to me at all <b>knows</b> that my children are the power behind my heart beating.&nbsp; I love them with all of my heart, and truly have felt that God has shown me through my love for my kids a <i>small glimpse </i>of just how much HE loves me!&nbsp; I am forever amazed at how powerful it is to love another human being as much as I do love my children... and will never feel worthy of the blessings they have been in my life for the 24+ years since they started entering my world.&nbsp; Yet, through the different stages of them growing up there were definitely times that I thought "Oh, I can't wait until this phase passes!" because, honestly, sometimes it's just not that easy!&nbsp; Anyone who is raising (or has raised) children knows that there are times that it is downright difficult.&nbsp; They can be hard to get along with, disobedient, lazy or whatever... but, my goodness, they smile at you, or hug you and say "I love you, Mama..." and all is perfect in the world.&nbsp; Now that my kids are all grown (the youngest JUST graduated college a week ago!) and in their 20's I am finding that sometimes they pull at my heartstrings even more than when they were young.&nbsp; It's not so much about raising and disciplining them any longer... most of that work has been done.&nbsp; But now I have to allow them to test their wings... make decisions and choices in their lives.&nbsp; And sometimes it just nearly kills me to see them making a decision that I just know is not the best thing for them or isn't going to turn out well... but I also know THEY have to live their own lives.&nbsp; I very much believe in boundaries - but also in respecting boundaries with others as well.&nbsp; That definitely includes my own kids.&nbsp; So how do I deal with this stage?&nbsp; I hold them close when I can... and hold them close in my heart all the time.&nbsp; I pray for them daily - and some days I pray for them LOTS! &nbsp; And I never miss an opportunity to tell them that I love them.&nbsp; I'm sure they know it... but I want them to hear it.&nbsp; I want there to be NO question at all. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">If your children are still growing up, hold them close.&nbsp; Hug them every chance you get.&nbsp; Tell them you love them often.&nbsp; And if they are already grown - then hug them even more... and make a point to tell them how much you love them as often as you can.&nbsp; Leave no room for question or doubt.&nbsp; We all know that growing up can be difficult... but I do believe it's harder than ever.&nbsp; How much easier it is to handle life with love and support behind you. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you had a wonderful Christmas... and that 2012 is the best year yet for you!&nbsp;</span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-66158805458950685142011-12-15T09:03:00.000-05:002011-12-15T09:03:37.876-05:00Reflections<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">How often do you <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">reflect</span></b> on <i>your</i> life?&nbsp; Whether it is to reflect back on the <b>day</b>, the <b>week</b> or the past <b>year</b>...much <i>less</i> to reflect back as far as you can remember?&nbsp; I guess I'm a "reflector" of sorts, because I'm <i>constantly</i> reflecting on <b>my life</b>.&nbsp; I am looking for <b>change, improvement, growth</b> in <i>myself</i>.&nbsp; It makes me sad to look back and see a bad habit or behavior that has been there for a long time, and I <i>haven't</i> done what I need to do to bring about <b>change</b> in myself.&nbsp; And it makes me equally excited to reflect back and see growth and change from something bad to <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>finally</b></span> reaching a place of having it under control.&nbsp; YEA - something to celebrate!!&nbsp; But something that makes me a bit leery is those people who <b>DON'T</b> reflect on their lives.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Ever.</b></span>&nbsp; And there <i>are</i> those people.&nbsp; To <i>me</i> that is a dangerous - and maybe irresponsible way to live.&nbsp; What is behind us is <b>DEFINITELY</b> behind us - it is the past and we can't change it.&nbsp; And often it is best to leave it back there!&nbsp; But you can't ignore it or make it disappear.&nbsp; So you <b>LEARN</b> from it.&nbsp; You learn what <i>did</i> and what <i>didn't</i> <b>work</b> - what did and didn't <b>hurt</b>. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">Just like most people, I don't like to fail at things.&nbsp; It can be embarrassing, humiliating, hurtful, and sometimes even damaging.&nbsp; But failure can also be good... and we <i>need</i> to remember that. A failure can sometimes be EXACTLY what we need because what we were going after wasn't good for us to begin with... and not the direction our lives needed to go.&nbsp; So failure can change that path.&nbsp; And a failure <i>almost always</i> offers a chance to learn.&nbsp; We can analyze choices &amp; decisions and figure out how <b>not</b> to make the <i>wrong ones</i> the next time! And quite honestly, sometimes a <span style="font-size: x-large;">SUCCESS</span> is <i>so much sweeter</i> after there has been a failure.&nbsp; We seem to appreciate that success so much more because we <b>KNOW</b> how hard it was to achieve.&nbsp; At that point, we can often look back and see so much growth because of all the lessons learned along the way.&nbsp; Without reflecting, this would just not be as possible. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">Don't be afraid of the past.&nbsp; LOOK at it square in the eye - see what you want to repeat, and exactly what you don't.&nbsp; And don't let it be shame that you take the most from the past - but lessons in life that will help you grow into a stronger and better person.&nbsp; That's what it's all about.&nbsp; We fall down, get get back up and try again.&nbsp; <i>Embrace your past - reflect on it often - and it will give you a better future.</i> &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace;">Have a GREAT day!!&nbsp;</span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-44936599309747211322011-12-12T11:34:00.000-05:002011-12-12T11:34:54.323-05:00A girl with dreams....<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Too often in life I find that people think dreams are only for the youth. Children, teenagers, even those who are graduating college but still in their early-20's... to them we will say "<i>follow your dreams</i>."&nbsp; But for some strange reasoning, we no longer think that when someone gets into their 30's and beyond.&nbsp; Seems that the thought is that they have had their chance, and now it's time to start taking life more seriously.&nbsp; Stand up to their responsibility in life.&nbsp; As a child, my dream was to grow up and be a Mommy.&nbsp; Anyone that would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up would hear the same response "a Mommy."&nbsp; (well, I also wanted to be a go-go dancer, but I realized early on that it just wasn't going to happen for me!)&nbsp; I can say that my dreams did come true - and I was a Mom for the first time when I was 21...my second child was born when I was 23 and my third child when I was 24.&nbsp; And then I was going through a divorce by the time I was 25.&nbsp; Sometimes dreams just don't happen the way we actually <i>dream</i> them!&nbsp; So it was time for lots of reality and extreme responsibility.&nbsp; But fear not, I was up for the challenge, and along that road of parenthood were many laughs, tears, surprise turns and cliffs (which occasionally I either fell off or dove from!)&nbsp; It was never boring, and although my dream-come-true sometimes left me quite exhausted, it never left me regretful.&nbsp; Now let's turn time ahead 20 years....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm now 45 (and can you believe, I'll be 46 in 3 short weeks?!) and the kids are all grown.&nbsp; I've been with my husband (and father of my kids, as he adopted them and is the only father they've ever known) for over 15 years.&nbsp; There have been many rocky times along the way, but also many triumphs.&nbsp; I can definitely look back and see the many times that there was only <i>one set of footprints in the sand</i>, as God carried me through.&nbsp; Yet getting to this point - the place where my dream of having children and raising them - is basically done... and the realization has been that I needed a new dream.&nbsp; I needed to look back into my heart and find that passion and zest that would fuel me from here.&nbsp; Coming to that place of feeling unneeded much of the time is a tough place to find yourself, but it's a choice as to whether I would stay there or move on to making another dream a reality.&nbsp; 2011 has been a year of realized dreams... it started that way, and I am coming to the end of it in that same way.&nbsp; This year I have started living more of my dreams... almost as if I opened up my little box of dreams and started letting them out one-by-one.&nbsp; First was to start my photography business... to take something I have loved so much, have worked on and pursued, and actually make it an even bigger part of my life.&nbsp; There has often been anxiety and frustration along the way, and while I still have so much to learn about running my own business, amazingly I have been doing it!&nbsp; Little by little I have watched clients trickle in, and trusting that as time goes by there will be more and my business will get stronger and larger.&nbsp; This weekend I started on another dream: a guitar.&nbsp; It's been something I've wanted to learn for so long, and now is the time of living with no excuses.&nbsp; If it's a dream that is worth going after, then I will go after it. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you do with your dreams?&nbsp; Sometimes our dreams may be ridiculous.&nbsp; Wanting to own the world, be the richest person in the world, live in the largest house... those things are silly and don't bring happiness or joy.&nbsp; But those dreams of accomplishment, of making people smile, of helping someone and giving to another persons life, of learning and maybe teaching... those are dreams that can change the world.&nbsp; They are the dreams we should strive to make true.&nbsp; </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-50123706506004922562011-12-08T11:58:00.000-05:002011-12-08T11:58:24.878-05:00Life as a Pin Board<div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfewwBpbyE/TuDsksZ1JDI/AAAAAAAAAgA/xnsf1NCo17U/s1600/23573598019108760_6kOvpEvW_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAfewwBpbyE/TuDsksZ1JDI/AAAAAAAAAgA/xnsf1NCo17U/s1600/23573598019108760_6kOvpEvW_b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pinterest</span></b> has really become a craze with many people, and honestly I've become <i>quite an addict</i> myself. Looking at the interesting things: recipes, quotes, projects, styles, etc, and pinning the things that <b><i>I</i></b> <span style="font-size: x-large;">love</span> to a board of my own.&nbsp; Sometimes I wonder what it would look like if I had a pin board to showcase my own life.&nbsp; No doubt such a board would be quite a jumble - and it would have to be huge to include all of the important things that would need to be pinned.&nbsp; It definitely would not be without blemish or embarrassment, because there has been plenty about my past that I would really not care to have pinned to a board to have to show or even be reminded of very often.&nbsp; Needless to say, it would have lots of tear stains... both happy, sad and hurt tears.&nbsp; Broken hearts, disappointments, losses...but more importantly accomplishments and celebrations that brought tears of joy: A new tiny heartbeat that would be born that I would nurse and nurture and it would change my life forever...love so great that emotions couldn't contain the joy without overflowing into tears.&nbsp; And all of these tears are so important to the completion of that pin board to this point.&nbsp; Amongst the many pins on this board would be styles that came and went - and possibly some that were never "in" to begin with!&nbsp; There would be no way this board could be missing the many friends along the journey of my life.&nbsp; Some friends have been there all along, and some for just a part of the time... but their importance was no less great.&nbsp; And the board wouldn't be right without them being pinned on it.&nbsp; I would have to have some order to this board, simply because I have to have some order to anything in my life... so if it were arranged chronologically I would like to think that the pins would reflect a strength that has grown in me as a person as time has gone by: as a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend, a Christian, a daughter... everything that I am.&nbsp; As I have gotten through the tough times, and as I have celebrated through the joyous times, I have become a stronger person...hopefully a better and kinder person.&nbsp; And I hope that would show in all of the pins along the way.&nbsp; All of this makes me kind of wonder: if this were a reality, and my life were a pin board for the world to see, would I live it in <i>any</i> different way.&nbsp; Would I make different decisions, would I react differently in certain situations.&nbsp; Would I <b>BE</b> different so that I could be <i>perceived</i> differently?&nbsp; And if the answer to that is YES, then I need to change those things anyway. &nbsp;</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;,Courier,monospace; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pinterest is a really cool idea... and I, along with millions of other people, am addicted to picking the things that express who <i>I</i> am, to finding the pins that interest <i>me</i> and putting them on <b>MY</b> board...but I want to concentrate a little more on my real life as if it were a pin board, and make sure I'm living it in the way I would want displayed...because actually it really is, in a way.&nbsp; That is one of my challenges to myself. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span> </span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-71523856456520942442011-11-23T10:41:00.000-05:002011-11-23T10:41:51.917-05:0024 Days of Thankfulness<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been so inspirational to see each day a new thing listed on so many of my facebook friends pages...each day a mention of something they are thankful for.&nbsp; My approach will be a little different, as I will just put it all together in a blog... 24 days of <i>thankfulness.</i></span></span></div><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Life.&nbsp; Very simply, I am thankful for my life. &nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My Savior.&nbsp; I cannot imagine what my life would be like without Jesus Christ as my Savior.&nbsp; I do imagine it would be with a lot less Joy.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My firstborn.&nbsp; Life changed beyond measure when he entered my life over 24 years ago... and through the tough days and the joys, I would never want to imagine my life without him in it. {I have to add kind of an addendum to this because it seems most appropriate.&nbsp; I am very thankful for my son's fiancee.&nbsp; She's so sweet and kind... and she loves my son with all her heart.&nbsp; I look forward to having her as my daughter and embracing all that she brings to my family!}</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My middle child.&nbsp; I started planning for the thought of him while still in the hospital with my first child.&nbsp; I even had his name picked out before leaving to take baby #1 home!&nbsp; And he has been the most loving and sweet child any mother could ask for... I love him dearly.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My baby girl.&nbsp; Talk about perfect.&nbsp; All I ever wanted was to be a mother... but to get the most beautiful little girl - JUST NO WORDS!&nbsp; She's my heartbeat, my sunshine, my smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My home.&nbsp; I take it all for granted, but when people come to my home they always feel warm and welcome - and I'm thankful that I can share that with anyone in my life.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Miles.&nbsp; He's a pain most days, his breath is unbelievably bad - but he's the sweetest and cutest labradoodle in the world.&nbsp; Don't know what I'll do when he's no longer a part of my world!</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My Mom.&nbsp; Through thick or thin - my Mom has been by my side.&nbsp; We are alike in many ways - but different in even more ways.&nbsp; But I like to think that my strengths are things she helped strengthen in me.&nbsp; Simply - I love her with all my heart.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Forgiveness.&nbsp; I cannot imagine what life would be like if I could not be forgiven for the many wrongs I've done... but also if I couldn't forgive others for things they've done wrong against me.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dreams.&nbsp; So many of my dreams have come true - and even more of them have not.&nbsp; But I can still have my dreams - and the hope that one day I'll see more of them materialized.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Hope.&nbsp; What in the world would life be about if there wasn't hope for a better day.&nbsp; Even on the most perfect day I can have hope for another one.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Health.&nbsp; I have so many quirky health issues, but otherwise I am healthy!&nbsp; And for that, I am so thankful!</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Friendship.&nbsp; I'm kind of a loner.&nbsp; I do spend more time on my own than with others.&nbsp; But I love my friends, and I'm always there for them if they need me.&nbsp; The hardest thing I've ever had to do was make a decision to walk away from a friendship - and that's only happened a handful of times in my life.&nbsp; But even then I know I'm doing it because it's the right thing for the other person as well as for myself.&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Boundaries.&nbsp; Took me about 40 years to learn how to set them and respect them for what they are.&nbsp; I am now all about boundaries: personal, business, etc.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Sea.&nbsp; I spend as much time as possible near the sea.&nbsp; I feel closer to God when I am there... hearing the waves, watching them come closer in to the shore but stop at just the right place.&nbsp; So peaceful seeing with my eyes a small glimpse of just how much power God has by watching the sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Music.&nbsp; It soothes me, invigorates me, motivates me... it makes me laugh, sing, cry, think.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Talent.&nbsp; God does give us each talent... and many times we want to </i>pick <i>what we want our talent to be.&nbsp; But that's not how it works.&nbsp; I am thankful for the talents God has given me... and I work to do the best that I can with them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Counseling.&nbsp; I can't count how many times through my life I've needed someone to be there for me... to help me deal with a situation or a hurt in my life.&nbsp; And whether it's been a friend - or even a certified counselor - I am thankful that people are there to help.&nbsp; I've learned to never be afraid to ask for help when I need it.</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Our country.&nbsp; There are many things I DON'T like about the way things have changed in our country.&nbsp; And there are directions we are headed that frighten me.&nbsp; But overall, I do believe this is the greatest country.&nbsp; We have freedoms that some places may never know... and I am so thankful for that.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The special people in my life.&nbsp; I cannot sing their praises enough.&nbsp; My Grandmother would have to be my #1.&nbsp; She held the key to my heart when I was growing up - and I think I'm most like her as a grown up.&nbsp; I miss her presence in my life so much since she's been gone, but I do find peace knowing that I'll see her again one day.&nbsp; But there are other special people in my life, and they each hold such a dear place.&nbsp; I simply cannot imagine who or where I would be without them!!&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The internet.&nbsp; It's amazing all of the changes in the world since the time when I was a child.&nbsp; There were so many awesome things then that I do miss now, and with the age of the internet there have been a lot of really bad things.&nbsp; The availability of so many dangerous things that can ruin lives, tear apart marriages, aid in addictions, etc.&nbsp; But there are also many great things that come from it all.&nbsp; The ability to stay in touch with people who are many, many miles away.... the ability to learn about things we might never know about otherwise.&nbsp; Just to name a couple.&nbsp; When my son was in Bahrain a few years ago with the US Navy, I was able to immediately have contact with him - almost daily - because of the internet.&nbsp; And now, with him many states away, I can stay in touch, see pictures, read comments and posts from him.&nbsp; How incredible?!&nbsp; But it's like anything.&nbsp; We have to NOT abuse it for the bad things it can also provide.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Choices.&nbsp; I have watched over this past year as several people I love dearly have made some very poor choices... and some others have made some awesome choices.&nbsp; We all have choices to make each day, and I'm thankful that we have the free will to choose.&nbsp; But also that we have consequences from the bad choices.&nbsp; Hopefully next year will bring more GOOD choices than bad ones!</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>You.&nbsp; It means the world to me that you want to read what I have to say.&nbsp; You give me reason to write again... and desire to share more of myself.&nbsp; Whether you are a friend of many years, a stranger outside of reading my blogs, a client (or potential client)... it doesn't matter.&nbsp; I appreciate you so much - and hope you will continue on this journey with me for a long time to come!&nbsp;&nbsp; .......and please feel free to comment once in a while! :) </i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>My husband.&nbsp; I mention him last because I am guarded about bringing him into my blogs.&nbsp; But I am very thankful for him.&nbsp; </i></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>That's 24... and today is the 23rd of November, so I've included an extra one for tomorrow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Thanks for going through this with me... and I would LOVE to hear back from you!!&nbsp; That would be my #25 thing to be thankful for!!&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Have a wonderful day - and&nbsp;</i></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>&nbsp;</i></span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-81145346699770539372011-11-17T11:22:00.001-05:002011-11-17T19:21:18.973-05:00Goldilocks and the Three Bears<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Edc_aDjN9xs/TsUzF8V-voI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3F-5jHddArE/s1600/IMG_7909-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Edc_aDjN9xs/TsUzF8V-voI/AAAAAAAAAfI/3F-5jHddArE/s640/IMG_7909-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a child we all loved bedtime stories... and as a parent or grandparent there is something so special about snuggling up with that special child and reading those stories to them over and over again.&nbsp; Many of those stories have some very important lessons on life in them... and then there are some that we just love to read because they make us feel warm and cozy.&nbsp; I miss the old stories that children don't seem to hear enough these days.&nbsp; <u><i>Jack and the Bean Stalk</i></u>, <u><i>Rumplestiltskin,</i></u> <u><i>Cinderella</i></u>, <u><i>Snow White</i></u> and <u><i>Peter Pan</i></u>.&nbsp;&nbsp; But two of my very favorites were always <u><i>Goldilocks and the Three Bears</i></u> and <u><i>Little Red Riding Hood</i></u>.&nbsp; Being a blonde-head myself, I always thought I was the lead character in these stories, and that they must somehow be about me.&nbsp; My Mom even made me a beautiful velvet red hooded cape when I was a child that I would wear ever so proudly. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I've grown up, though, some of these stories take on a different meaning.&nbsp; Often we wish we could fall asleep for many, many years... and how awesome would it be to have a beanstalk to climb to escape the giants we face each day?&nbsp; I've learned over and over that the slipper doesn't fit my foot when the prince comes along to try it on, and I only had 3 little "dwarfs" of my own to take care of, and they went and grew up on me!&nbsp; <u><i>Peter Pan</i></u> was my middle son's favorite, and I think my poor Mom had to watch the vhs video <i>everytime</i> she was with him!&nbsp; But oh, how I used to love Tinkerbell - yet as I grew up I also came to see what a sneaky little underhanded chick she really was, so that changed my opinion of her!&nbsp; I read <u><i>Little Red Riding Hood</i></u> and think "<i>What parent would seriously let their child walk to the end of their own driveway alone these days, much less to Grandma's house?</i>" but I <i>do</i> appreciate the early warning that things <i>are not always what they seem</i>, and we need to be paying close attention to the wolves in disguise.&nbsp; But I think my least favorite story now is <u><i>Goldilocks and the Three Bears</i></u>.&nbsp; It's </span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">great </span></span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">as a child to be reminded that we aren't a "fit" for everything... but there is a perfect chair just for us.&nbsp; But it's not so great to think someone has been eating my porridge... and even less great to wonder "<i>who's been sleeping in my bed</i>."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's very seldom that I miss my childhood.&nbsp; But very often I miss those special times with my own children when they were young.&nbsp; On days like today, when it's cold and rainy outside, I miss snuggling with them in front of the TV watching movies that had meaning, hot chocolate, chicken noodle soup with grilled cheese sandwiches...those special things that made everyone feel safe and warm.&nbsp; And I do miss the innocence of believing in the fairy tales...&nbsp; of loving <u><i>Goldilocks and the Three Bears</i></u>, because after all, they had to be writing about me! &nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-74753904347797749452011-11-15T17:46:00.000-05:002011-11-15T17:46:25.235-05:00It's the Dash that Counts<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVpezXPxN88/TsLoII3MW4I/AAAAAAAAAec/1qe7n6MtvqY/s1600/IMG_8281-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dVpezXPxN88/TsLoII3MW4I/AAAAAAAAAec/1qe7n6MtvqY/s640/IMG_8281-Edit-Edit.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was a bittersweet day.&nbsp; It was the day that we came together to bid farewell to my Grandmother for the final time on this earth.&nbsp; At 93 she had taken all of this life she could take and moved on to eternity early on Saturday morning.&nbsp; And I have handled it like a champ.&nbsp; I'm a very realistic person, as I believe most anyone who knows me very well would agree with.&nbsp; As a child and a teenager (and probably even up through my 20's) I was probably much more of a dreamer, but life has changed some of that in me.&nbsp; My Grandmother's death has been handled in my usual realistic approach, knowing that she is, afterall, much better off than she would be on this earth suffering.&nbsp; But today I have felt a deep sadness.&nbsp; Things with my Grandmother and myself were good... she knew I loved her, and I know she loved me.&nbsp; So I am not harboring any regrets of last minute words that needed to be spoken.&nbsp; Her life was long and she brought love and friendship to many other people on this earth, so there is no doubt that her presence will be missed very much.&nbsp; Yet still, this sadness lingers on.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday at the funeral one of the pastors who spoke made a comment about the "dash" in between the years on a tombstone marking the time between birth and death.&nbsp; That has been on my mind very much over the past day.&nbsp; I look at the dash my Grandmother's life represents... of the many others she affected with her life, the love she gave, the smiles she brought to others, the kindness she bestowed.&nbsp; But I have also reflected on my own life, and what the dash will say about how <i>I've</i> lived my life in between those two very important dates.&nbsp; For many years I believe it might have been a lot of boring, almost wasted space... but thankfully I hope that my life now touches many other lives positively by the choices I make, in the things I do, from the kindness I give, through the work I produce.&nbsp; And if I am successful at this "dash" then I will be a success in the end.&nbsp; What more could anyone ask for? &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fsfhv0dzDI/TsLoGh7q-BI/AAAAAAAAAeU/SV1BVtBBB7M/s1600/IMG_7099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fsfhv0dzDI/TsLoGh7q-BI/AAAAAAAAAeU/SV1BVtBBB7M/s640/IMG_7099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandmother with my daughter... June 2011</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><i> </i></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-29821931812013433982011-11-09T23:44:00.003-05:002011-11-09T23:51:06.354-05:00Real Heroes<div style="text-align: center;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</div><div style="text-align: center;">... a little more about my life as a photographer...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEbOeiocHDs/TrtQ0vHgFXI/AAAAAAAAAcc/a6iKH4F2HHE/s1600/November+09%252C+2011-IMG_4646Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEbOeiocHDs/TrtQ0vHgFXI/AAAAAAAAAcc/a6iKH4F2HHE/s640/November+09%252C+2011-IMG_4646Beach.jpg" width="512" />&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When was the last time you stopped and thought about the hero's in your life?&nbsp; Quickly - what name comes to your mind when you think "hero"?&nbsp; I think for every little boy it is at some time a superhero: Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man... someone with supernatural powers who can save the world.&nbsp; But as we grow up we are shocked and saddened to find out that there are no real superhero's.&nbsp; Or are there?&nbsp; I've been writing a lot lately about children, parents, hurt, disappointment... and I don't want to upset or depress anyone.&nbsp; The simple truth: <b>life is tough</b>.&nbsp; People make bad decisions.&nbsp; And there are also the times that people take a wrong turn in their life and hurt lots of people.&nbsp; What about when the hurt pulls away the mask to reveal that <i>who was</i> <i>once</i> a superhero is <i>actually</i> <b>not</b> one after all?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJdv0UdabY4/TrtWaqUe7uI/AAAAAAAAAck/C8RX8gdVQ_Q/s1600/January+29%252C+2011-superheroBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJdv0UdabY4/TrtWaqUe7uI/AAAAAAAAAck/C8RX8gdVQ_Q/s640/January+29%252C+2011-superheroBeach.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This evening I was watching a sweet little superhero run around in his cape.&nbsp; He has such an imagination - but ruining his fun at what should only be a carefree time in his life is the reality of a lot of hurt and disappointment.&nbsp; More than ever, this little superhero needs a HERO.&nbsp; So while he was running around as Batman, the caped crusader, he had an awesome co-crusader who is really his Poppy.&nbsp; Poppy had on the Sponge Bob cape that ALL <i>real</i> hero's wear - and he did the moves and ran up and down the hallway filling the job quite impressively.&nbsp; And me... well, I was the one blessed enough to see the <i>real hero</i> of the day.&nbsp; While Batman was convinced that his superhero co-crusader was Robin, I know that this was a superhero who will <b>NEVER</b> disappoint this little boy.&nbsp; And long before he was a superhero, he was also a hero to me.&nbsp; I've known him all of my life, and he's always impressed me with his kindness, generosity and loving spirit.&nbsp; But watching him with his grandchildren has brought my admiration to a new level. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHhfTZ7vC1M/TrtWjdp8V8I/AAAAAAAAAcs/zUifTdlrkQ8/s1600/August+01%252C+2010-rogerBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHhfTZ7vC1M/TrtWjdp8V8I/AAAAAAAAAcs/zUifTdlrkQ8/s640/August+01%252C+2010-rogerBeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We think we know who the real hero's are... and often those we think of are truly heroic.&nbsp; But let's not forget the ones who are heroic to the end.&nbsp; The ones who are hero's even after it's no longer fun for anyone.&nbsp; And if you are blessed enough to know one of these hero's I'm talking about, then let them know they touch your heart in a special way - and that you appreciate them just for <i>who they are</i>.&nbsp; It's a rare thing indeed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I love you, Poppy and Mimi.&nbsp; You are two of the most special people in the world, and no one can imagine the hurt you are going through in all of this.&nbsp; I am one of the blessed ones to see the hero's you are in how you have touched the lives of your dear grandchildren.&nbsp; "<i>Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." </i>John 15:13... there are many ways to "<i>lay down his life</i>" for someone, and sacrificing your life as you know it to take care of someone else in their time of need definitely makes you the <i>real hero's</i>.&nbsp; </span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-65157749325650625282011-11-09T09:37:00.000-05:002011-11-09T09:37:27.963-05:00To Get to Where I'm Going<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAWVKjvf_DM/TrqP0CNK7eI/AAAAAAAAAcU/DB22uUS0mV8/s1600/November+08%252C+2011-IMG_4453Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAWVKjvf_DM/TrqP0CNK7eI/AAAAAAAAAcU/DB22uUS0mV8/s640/November+08%252C+2011-IMG_4453Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the calm</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<i>No matter whose fault, God sends us through storms so we can land in a place we never would have otherwise.</i>" ~Beth Moore....</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, how many times I have cried out "<i>Why am I having to go through this, God?!</i>" and as time passed I was able to see that it was <b>perfect</b>.&nbsp; Where I ended up in my life was <b>JUST</b> where I <i>needed to be</i>.&nbsp; Now I <i>do</i> believe we often suffer in our lives because we make some terribly bad decisions... and sometimes those decisions just <i>can't</i> lead to something positive in our lives.&nbsp; I also believe it's never too late to change the track we're on.&nbsp; But those "bad decision" times are not what I'm talking about today.&nbsp; <i>I'm</i> talking about the times in life when we're doing what we're <i>supposed</i> to be doing...we're being the faithful and true spouse, we're being a good parent, we're doing our job well, we're being an upstanding citizen and friend... and then <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>suddenly</b></span> the carpet is pulled out from under us.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THOSE</b></span> are the times when we <i>truly </i>don't understand what's going on!&nbsp; <i>Afterall, we're doing what we're supposed to be doing...so things are supposed to run smoothly</i> - <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>RIGHT</b></span>??&nbsp; But <i>sometimes</i> that's just not the way it works out... and during those times it may be someone else's bad choices that are affecting our lives, or it may just be a change in course that we just don't understand.&nbsp; But I'm telling you to hold on tight.&nbsp; <b>Seek God</b> during those times and stay true to <b>Him.</b> {well, seriously seek God in all times!}&nbsp; The changes <i>might</i> be scary, they <i>might</i> seem unfair, but when the storm calms down and everything falls into place you <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>might</b></span> find you are in a better place than before.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not a very flexible person.&nbsp; I simply do not embrace change.&nbsp; I like things just the way I like them.&nbsp; I'm not exactly a person of habit - I just like my comfort zone.&nbsp; But there have been more times than I could count that I have found my life in a total whirlwind... and honestly a lot of those times had nothing to do with bad decisions on my part.&nbsp; As time has gone by (and maybe I've matured a bit) I've learned to just <i>hold on</i>...adapt to the changes.&nbsp; Trust that God is in control and He is changing the course I'm on... and if <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>HE</b></span> is changing it, then it's got to be good for me.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My advice for you is to always live your life truthfully...there really are no true secrets.&nbsp; And when the storms come along, hold on tight.&nbsp; Cry when you need to cry, laugh when you can find a way to laugh... but be patient and wait to see what is next in your life.&nbsp; Don't hold on to the past that is changing because you may cheat yourself out of something totally awesome that you'd never have dared to dream for yourself!</span>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-39435734217454420602011-11-07T23:43:00.001-05:002011-11-08T08:26:00.435-05:00Looking for the Words...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many times in our lives that we just don't understand everything... we just don't have all of the answers.&nbsp; That's hard enough for a grown-up to accept, but this evening I spent some time with two sweet children who have recently been abandoned by their mother.&nbsp; There is no way to tell you how frustrating it is to see their pain and confusion, yet have no answers to give them to make them understand.&nbsp; I'm a Mom myself to three grown children... my kids are all in their 20's now.&nbsp; Soon I'll have a daughter-in-law, as my 24-yr-old son is engaged to be married.&nbsp; I'm no stranger to the chaos of raising kids, nor have I forgotten the days of raising my children when they were younger.&nbsp; I remember very well the times that I felt I would never get to "come first" again in anything.&nbsp; My goodness, I can remember wondering if I would ever just get to go to the bathroom or take a shower without someone standing there needing something from me all the time.&nbsp; But that time does pass, and when you look back you realize just how quickly it was gone.&nbsp; Yet as tiring and depleting as those times can be, I never could have imagined a day without my children.&nbsp; It was nice to have a break now and then, but I always felt like something was missing as long as they were not with me.&nbsp; So how can a mom just up and leave her family?&nbsp; What words do you use to explain this to a 4 and 8-yr-old?&nbsp; And what are they learning about trust, commitment, love, security, etc?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight I heard a little boy of only 4 say "<i>I don't love my mommy any more.</i>" And my heart broke for the pain that I could hear in his little voice.&nbsp; I wanted to explain to both children that all mommy's are not like that... most mommy's would never <b>dream</b> of leaving their children.&nbsp; Mommy's are supposed to have a heart that loves their kids forever and takes care of their kids no matter what else the world may do to hurt them, and most do... but there's just something wrong with <i>this</i> mommy.&nbsp; What I <i>do</i> tell these children is that <i>I</i> will not hurt them.&nbsp; <i>I</i> will be there for them as much as I can - and I will do <i>whatever</i> I can to offer them protection and love.&nbsp; I remind these children that even though we don't have all of the answers, it is not their fault when grown people do bad things - and <i>they</i> don't have to make those same mistakes in their own lives.&nbsp; Rather they should love with all of their heart and be strong enough to <i>not</i> walk away when things are not the way they want them in life. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do pray for this mom.&nbsp; In my mind I cannot comprehend what any woman must be thinking to walk away from her children.&nbsp; Life is complicated, and we don't always understand all the details - but there are no details that would make it okay to do what she's done.&nbsp; And I pray for these children - that their little hearts and minds will be protected in some way from all that they have been exposed to in the past few months.&nbsp; That they will grow up and be able to trust, and not be afraid to love. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't usually write two blogs in one day... in fact, lately I haven't had much time to write at all.&nbsp; But this has really been a tough week, searching for the right words to say to offer support and love that is needed by a family that is hurting so badly.&nbsp; </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-21422573670366648462011-11-07T11:05:00.001-05:002011-11-07T11:07:11.988-05:00Learning to Trust<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbZPzhefl8Y/TrgBST8OSwI/AAAAAAAAAbg/72sDYMK_JPk/s1600/November+07%252C+2011-IMG_4399Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbZPzhefl8Y/TrgBST8OSwI/AAAAAAAAAbg/72sDYMK_JPk/s640/November+07%252C+2011-IMG_4399Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting here in front of my computer I can look over to the side just a tiny bit (maybe an inch or two) and see the sun glistening brightly on the ocean.&nbsp; Even when I'm concentrating on my work (whether I'm writing this blog, checking on my accounts or working on editing some photos) I can hear the waves crashing.&nbsp; I can <i><b>trust</b></i> that the ocean is out there and it's doing what it's supposed to do.&nbsp; And I'm always so happy and feel so serene when I'm near the ocean.&nbsp; Maybe it has something to do with <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>trust</b></span>?&nbsp; Does that sound kind of crazy to you? &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Trust</b></span> is a huge part of our lives.&nbsp; If you read my blogs then <i>surely</i> you have learned that it's a huge part of me, what I believe in and what I stand for.&nbsp; I&nbsp; <i>need</i> to have trust in my life... but it's <i>even more</i> important to me to live a life that is <i>trustworthy</i>.&nbsp; And many people don't stop and think about how <i>broken trust</i> can totally change so much about your life and relationships.&nbsp; Just stop and think for a few minutes about who you have in your life, and whether you feel peaceful about those relationships.&nbsp; Do you trust them?&nbsp; But more importantly, can they trust you?&nbsp; Should they?&nbsp; I have learned over and over in my years that I have <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">no</span></b> control over <i>any</i>one else... whether they make good or bad decisions, whether they are honest or dishonest.&nbsp; But I have a choice <i>every</i>day about me.&nbsp; When I speak I can speak truthfully.&nbsp; If there's something I just don't want to say, then it's truly better for me to say "I really don't want to talk about that" than it is to <i>not</i> be honest about something. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">But even more than what we speak, trust also comes from what we see.&nbsp; If someone says "<i>I will be there for you always</i>" but then every time you need them they have an excuse or you simply can't even get a response from them, then before long you'll know when you need someone, you can't <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>trust</b></span> that <i>they</i> will be someone you should turn to.&nbsp; So we do need to always be careful about our words.&nbsp; Even if they are spoken in kindness, if they are not true and sincere they can teach someone to <i>dis</i>trust.&nbsp; And it's very hard to turn that around after the lesson has been taught.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Often when it comes to the topic of trust I think about children.&nbsp; So much about who we are as adults does go back to what we learned as children.&nbsp; It doesn't mean that we can't overcome bad things we might experience in our childhoods, but a lot of times people are not willing to put in the time or work that is required.&nbsp; We are creatures of habit and we like to just use the excuse "it's just the way I am."&nbsp; Simply: it's painful to change!&nbsp; But in raising our own children, in playing parts in the lives of our grandchildren, or playing some other important role in a child's life we need to always be aware that we are teaching them so many things with every word and action.&nbsp; And the biggest lesson they are storing away is what is being taught to <i>them</i> about trust.&nbsp; The hardest decisions are when we have to remove something from their lives because we know it is only teaching them something that will negatively affect them for many years to come.&nbsp; But that is part of being trustworthy... showing them that they can trust you to take care of them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">For me it calms me completely to hear (and see) the ocean... when possible I love to sleep at night with the window cracked so I can hear the waves and let them lull me to sleep.&nbsp; Think about what makes you feel safe and peaceful like that... and what feelings it gives you to make <i>you</i> feel that way.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><i> </i></span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-29660133344435501922011-10-21T10:52:00.000-04:002011-10-21T10:52:54.316-04:00Brings Tears to my Eyes....<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Constantly my blogs are something about relationships and the many complexities that affect them in some way or another (whether bad or good!) and today will be no different, I'm afraid.&nbsp; So now's your chance to run, if you need to!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What has prompted me to write this morning is the birth of a baby.&nbsp; Some friends of ours had their first grandbaby.&nbsp; Their oldest son and his wife delivered a beautiful baby boy.&nbsp; Their celebration is huge!&nbsp; But there is also some sadness in the midst of it all, because the grandparents are here in NC and the new baby and parents live in Hawaii.&nbsp; It will be another week before they are able to travel out to visit their first grandchild - the firstborn of their oldest son.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">My own son is engaged to a very sweet girl.&nbsp; We absolutely fell madly in love with her as soon as we met her.&nbsp; As a woman, I know my desire to always stay within a safe distance to my own Mother... and I only live about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from her (which until I was 30 I never lived more than 30 minutes from her!)&nbsp; But now that one of my kids is getting ready to get married, my heart aches thinking of how far he will likely always live from me.&nbsp; Thinking that everyone else will meet my grandchildren first when they are born one day, and see them more than I'll ever be able hurts me more than I could ever express.&nbsp; Honestly, it brings tears&nbsp; to my eyes (and an occasional sob) just thinking about it!&nbsp; I didn't think about this part when I had my children... when they were handed to me as newborns.&nbsp; It never crossed my mind that one day they would grow up and not be right with me any longer.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Once again, I think of Josh and Nicole who just had their new son.&nbsp; And I think of how they are feeling.&nbsp; And for them I can only feel elated.&nbsp; I remember that moment of meeting my newborn baby whom I had waited so many months for (in a way it felt like years with the first one, because I had dreamed of having my first child since I was a child myself!)&nbsp; And I pray that they soak up these feelings.&nbsp; That they write them down and remember them for the rest of their lives.&nbsp; On a bad day they can read the words and remember how awesome God is - that He gives us a love for our children that is so special we cannot even find words to describe it adequately.&nbsp; I always think in some way it's a small inkling of God's love for us.&nbsp; But for us to fully understand how much God loves us would be more powerful than our human minds and bodies could handle.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's a day to celebrate for a new baby, new parents, new grandparents, new aunts and uncles.&nbsp; A new generation begins with the birth of this baby boy.&nbsp; And I am here with tears in my eyes with the anticipation that one day it will be me feeling what my friend is feeling as the new grandmother... and hoping I'm strong enough to be who I'm supposed to be at that time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you have a GREAT weekend!!&nbsp; </span></span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-47958177297454300212011-10-19T16:11:00.000-04:002011-10-19T16:11:23.270-04:00A Military Man's Promise<div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></div><br /><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><i>The following is something my future daughter-in-law sent to my son.&nbsp; They are engaged to be married in October of 2012.&nbsp; My son has been in the US Navy for 5+ years now, and is currently stationed 8-10 hours away from his fiancee, and 11-12 hours from his home here in NC.&nbsp; There aren't words to express how much this Mom's heart aches from missing him -- but I raised him to be independent, to do his best, and to give back.&nbsp; And I could not be prouder of the man he has grown up to be.&nbsp; I served as a military wife for 4 years, and I can tell you there is a lot of sacrifice expected as a military spouse.&nbsp; The words "I'm being deployed and will be gone for x-months" is NEVER easy to hear - but they come with the territory.&nbsp; But I can also attest that there is no way to explain the extreme patriotism that I felt, and some of that I didn't even realize fully until we were away from the military.&nbsp; As hard as it was for me to adjust to, it was even harder to adjust to being away from it.&nbsp; Please read these words, and then I ask you to consider whether you could settle for this kind of promise.&nbsp; But that is what is required of our soldiers.&nbsp; And I beg you to find a new level of respect for what they do - and the sacrifice that is required of not only them, but of their families.&nbsp; </i></span><br /><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1}"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:3}">A Military Man's Promise... I cannot promise you every night of my life. I cannot promise to be beside you for every difficult moment, every trial, and every hardship. In truth, I can promise you that I will not be with you for most. I will leave you at inconvenient times. Any special date to us may be tainted with the anniversary of the death of one of my friends. I will ask you to take over what<span class="text_exposed_show">ever life we have built together for months and years at a time. And will then crash back into that life that you have used your sweat, your tears and your heartache to keep together, and try to take it back as I knew it before. I will shut you out at times because it will be the best way for me to hold it together at that moment. I will lie to you. I will tell you I don't know things when I do. I will not always tell you where I am going, when I will be back, or who I am with. I may not call you for weeks and months and you will not be able to call me. You will ask questions that I won't answer. You will know answers to questions that you will hope you never need. I will share things with my brothers that you will never understand. They will know things about me that you never will. They will be a support to me in some things that you cannot be. I will miss birthdays. I will miss anniversaries. I may need time to process things that seem natural to everyone else. It will seem that someone - or something - will always take precedence over you. You may lose me long before you ever thought possible. I will uproot you and ask you to re-establish our family anywhere in the world, in any season, at any time -over and over again. Sand and mud will be tracked through your halls from the boots I am too tired to take off. I will leave you when you beg me not to. I will stand at attention while you cry beside me. I will not turn my head and I will walk away. I will knowingly break your heart. And I will do it again - and again. I cannot promise you all of me. I cannot promise you much of anything. But if you will have me, I can promise that as I march away from you, it is not without sharing your heartache. I promise you that every time I break your heart I will be breaking mine. Every time that I cannot answer you I will be protecting you. Whenever you want to call and you have no number to dial, I will be wanting to do the same. I will protect everything that we have created together with every fiber of my being while you do the same back at home. I will honor you in everything -every moment that we are apart and every moment that I am with you. I will fight harder and push further knowing that I do so for you. And I will carry you with me in everything, until my sandy boots once again sit just inside our door...A military relationship/marriage is one of the strongest and hardest I know!! and this about sums it up!</span></span></span></h6><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #45818e;">I am so proud, excited and honored to be doing their engagement photo session this next weekend, as they are traveling to NC just for me to do this for them!&nbsp; So stay tuned for those beautiful pictures... and feel free to leave them a message as a comment at the end of this blog.&nbsp; I'll make sure they get them!</i></span>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-29857131479185920552011-10-18T11:02:00.000-04:002011-10-18T11:02:48.611-04:00Time to Let Go<div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</i></span></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</i></span></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: center;"><div style="color: #f6b26b; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>&nbsp;"There is a time for everything, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and a season for every activity under the heavens: </i></span></div></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: left;"><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>&nbsp;a time to be born and a time to die, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to plant and a time to uproot, <br />&nbsp;a time to kill and a time to heal, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to tear down and a time to build, <br />&nbsp;a time to weep and a time to laugh, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to mourn and a time to dance, <br />&nbsp;a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, <br />&nbsp;a time to search and a time to give up, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to keep and a time to throw away, <br />&nbsp;a time to tear and a time to mend, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time to be silent and a time to speak, <br />&nbsp;a time to love and a time to hate, <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a time for war and a time for peace." </i></span></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</span> </i></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>And</b> there is a time that you have to let go.&nbsp; </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;">That's a very hard statement for me.&nbsp; Most anyone who has known me for any amount of time would attest that I am a very diligent person.&nbsp; I do not give up easily on anyone.&nbsp; In fact, I was usually the girl that got broken up with by my boyfriends even if I knew long beforehand that it was not a good relationship or had no future.&nbsp; I always had hope that something could change - that I could make things different.&nbsp; I never wanted to just give up on someone.&nbsp; Needless to say, my heart has been broken many times in my 4+ decades of life!&nbsp; But don't go feeling sorry for me, because I don't have regrets for my diligence.&nbsp; I have learned many valuable lessons.&nbsp; We all know hindsight is 20/20... and I can say looking back at some things in life that I held on a <b>lot</b> longer than I should have.&nbsp; Whether it was to a job, a relationship, or even a pair of worn out shoes... I wanted to give each one more day to get better, stronger, improve, a chance to be different.&nbsp; But I also have fewer regrets of wondering if I let go before there was a chance for something to get better.&nbsp; This is a day of instant gratification, and people too easily walk away without putting any real effort into things.&nbsp; They have a bad day at a job, and they quit or start looking for another job.&nbsp; They have a disagreement with a friend, and the friendship ends.&nbsp; Saddest of all, some people face those times of complacency that are to be expected in any long-term relationship (especially marriage), and they are out the door - either looking for another relationship before they even get out of the one they're in or just checking out altogether.&nbsp; There is something to be said for sticking in there - fighting for something or someone. <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BUT</b></span> then there is a time that you have to finally realize that it's time to let go.&nbsp; And there are times that I do look back and see that I caused some extra damage (either to myself or those around me...including my children) because I was too persistent to hang on rather than let go of something that needed to be gone.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #f9cb9c; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;">My Mom asked me one time when I was <i>really</i> being hurt by someone "<i>What will it take for you to finally walk away?</i>" and my response was, "<i>When I know that it's the best choice to make all the way around, and that I will not have regrets on my side.</i>"&nbsp; So what does that look like?&nbsp; It's when I finally feel someone has crossed boundaries to a point that the damage is irreparable.&nbsp; But an even quicker way for me to reach that point is for it to be adversely affecting someone else that I love.&nbsp; <b>Namely</b>, <i>my children</i>.&nbsp; (<span style="font-size: small;">My blog before this one was about making a difference in someone's life... especially a child's life - and if you haven't read it, I'd love for you to go back and read it.&nbsp;</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog2.photographybydonnakay.com/2011/10/making-difference-in-someones-life.html">http://blog2.photographybydonnakay.com/2011/10/making-difference-in-someones-life.html</a> ) &nbsp; <span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes there should be no greater reason to actually let go of something (or someone) than the proof before you that it is damaging the life of a child to have that person around - and especially when it is your own child.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Yes</b></span> - it will hurt to let go.&nbsp; But it won't hurt as much, or as long, as having them around to continue to hurt you and to bring hurt on someone who deserves so much more. &nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I was in my car, and I was thinking about what I had written in this blog when Steven Curtis Chapman's song came on the radio.&nbsp; The first verse and the chorus really struck me, almost as they did when the song first came out:</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #b45f06;">"She spins and she sways<br />To whatever song plays<br />Without a care in the world<br />And I'm sitting here wearing<br />The weight of the world on my shoulders<br /><br />It's been a long day<br />And there's still work to do<br />She's pulling at me<br />Saying "Dad, I need you<br /><br />There's a ball at the castle<br />And I've been invited<br />And I need to practice my dancing<br />Oh, please, Daddy, please?"<br /><br />So I will dance with Cinderella<br />While she is here in my arms<br />'Cause I know something the prince never knew<br />Oh, I will dance with Cinderella<br />I don't want to miss even one song<br />'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight<br />And she'll be gone..."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw Steven Curtis Chapman perform this song just a few months after his little girl was killed in a tragic accident... and his heart was so clearly broken.&nbsp; But he had learned <i>before</i> it was too late <i>to let go of things he had to let go of and take care of what was precious</i>.&nbsp; That's a lesson I hope I've learned... and one I wish I could share with others so they don't find out too late.&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </span></span></span></div></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-15151301247762506322011-10-16T21:29:00.002-04:002011-10-17T15:39:12.473-04:00Making a Difference....<div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @&nbsp;</span></i></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com</span></i></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ... a little more about my life as a photographer...</span></i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs... Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.&nbsp; Love never fails.</span></span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">" ~1 Corinthians 13:4-8</span></span></span></i></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: center;">&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJhXboFA68Y/Tps491JjXjI/AAAAAAAAAZE/JvTHe-dVjog/s1600/IMG_3224-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJhXboFA68Y/Tps491JjXjI/AAAAAAAAAZE/JvTHe-dVjog/s400/IMG_3224-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;">This picture holds a very sweet story.&nbsp; We were visiting Lynn and Roger so they could meet B on Saturday.&nbsp; Roger picked up B, and was singing to her as he was slow dancing with her.&nbsp; At first she had a rather puzzled look on her face, but quickly that changed to almost a look of enchantment.&nbsp; He continued to sing and dance (something slow and very worthy of Sinatra) as she gazed adoringly at him.&nbsp; When he finished singing and stopped dancing it was quiet... and then in the quietest little voice, B said "yay" and clapped ever so sweetly.&nbsp; My heart melted, and in my mind I thought "I hope she always knows that she is a princess - and that she always insists on being treated as such!"&nbsp;</i> </span></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Almost every young girl dreams of her "knight in shining armor"</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">at some time growing up.&nbsp; But <i>every</i> child is born with a need to feel loved, safe and special.&nbsp; My life has not been perfect... there have been disappointments and a multitude of hurts along the way.&nbsp; More importantly, though, there have been those people who have loved me - and made sure that I always felt that love.&nbsp; That is who I want to be for others when God puts them into my life.&nbsp; Raising my own children, who are now all in their 20's, it was always my desire to make sure that no matter what they did (or didn't do) that they were assured my love for them was unconditional.&nbsp; When they made mistakes (sometimes big ones!) the first thing I would always remind them is that <i>nothing</i> they could <i>ever</i> do could make me love them less.&nbsp; And even now that they are grown, I remind them often that I may get upset or angry or disappointed - <i>but my love for them will never end</i>. &nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Growing up is a very hard thing to do.&nbsp; In the most perfect of situations, it is tough.&nbsp; But some kids don't get anything near a perfect situation to grow up in.&nbsp; That stacks a lot against them early on.&nbsp; Sadly, it's almost accepted by society for people (parents - adults) to make excuses for their own mistakes and blame them on their own parents, upbringing or <i>anything </i>that keeps them from having to take responsibility for their own choices and actions. That is something so hard to understand.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">My life often crosses those families where children are stuck in some awful situations.&nbsp; Mom's leaving, Dad's leaving, SOMEONE not doing their job as a parent.&nbsp; And the kids are hurt, without words to even know how to express what they are feeling.&nbsp; Without knowing how to ask for it, they are starved for love, attention and assurance.&nbsp; My hearts desire is that I would be whatever I could be to help someone else.&nbsp; I know what it feels like to be hurt - to be disappointed - to be afraid to trust.&nbsp; But I also know that is it possible to choose not to repeat the behavior that caused those feelings in me.&nbsp; It's not an easy road - but it is possible. &nbsp;</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCS5kW1BFaE/Tps49Ho0LiI/AAAAAAAAAY0/fzgsznPPEEo/s1600/IMG_3208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCS5kW1BFaE/Tps49Ho0LiI/AAAAAAAAAY0/fzgsznPPEEo/s400/IMG_3208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;">Isn't he the most adorable little guy?&nbsp; He is crazy about Spider-Man, so we'll just refer to him as Spidey -- I think it's his biggest hero.&nbsp; </i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Except</span><i style="color: #3d85c6;"> for his Poppi....&nbsp;</i><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0Iax_BkSfQ/Tps49dE9iBI/AAAAAAAAAY8/eETLljVGZP0/s1600/IMG_3213-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0Iax_BkSfQ/Tps49dE9iBI/AAAAAAAAAY8/eETLljVGZP0/s400/IMG_3213-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>This little girl tore my heart out... she was crying and hurt.&nbsp; Here T is getting a kiss from her Grammy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Life can be really tough, and there are things that go on in the grown-up world that should just never touch a child's life.&nbsp; Too much is often brought into their lives at such young ages. Somewhere it is forgotten that children learn from what they see patterned before them - they learn trust, respect, honor, honestly, and so many other important lessons.&nbsp; On the other hand, if they live with the opposite, that it what is instilled in them instead. When bad things go on in the grown-up world around them, the reality is that the work needs to be done to reassure them they are loved <i>no matter what.&nbsp;</i> They need to be reminded that they are not responsible</span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"> for the selfish decisions of someone who is supposed to put them first in life, even though they are having to pay the penalty for those choices.&nbsp; Most of all, they need to know that they can be better than those bad decisions.&nbsp; They don't have to grow up and use that hurt as excuse to repeat them in their own grown-up lives.&nbsp;</span><i style="color: #0b5394;">&nbsp;</i> </span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUffztGA5sQ/Tps4-FufCKI/AAAAAAAAAZM/UKr9u0qGjC8/s1600/IMG_3263-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUffztGA5sQ/Tps4-FufCKI/AAAAAAAAAZM/UKr9u0qGjC8/s400/IMG_3263-Edit.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><div style="color: #6fa8dc; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Here's my little babygirl again... she's with Roger and Spidey.&nbsp; Whenever music would play she would jump up and dance.&nbsp; I love to see the happiness in her face - and know that she KNOWS she is loved so very much.</span></i></span></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">We all touch someone's life in some way.&nbsp; Who is it for you?&nbsp; If it is a child, are you giving them hope for a future that includes respect, honesty, unconditional love, safety &amp; security?&nbsp; And if you are thinking "you have no clue how much hurt I had in my own childhood" then what I would respond is this: then you should want to make sure you instill something different to a child than what left you hurt and possibly damaged in some way.&nbsp; Choose to be better - and not to repeat what is destructive.&nbsp; Make a difference in someone's life.&nbsp; I do believe you will be rewarded for it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">I tell my kids all the time "Your life is always a testimony... <i>you</i> choose whether it is a good one or a bad one."&nbsp; And that is how I try to live each day of my own life. &nbsp; </span></div>DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6816867419496813759.post-90092556092117458422011-10-13T08:57:00.001-04:002011-10-13T08:57:59.967-04:00It's a FREE Organic Bloom mini-frame!! PLUS a surprise for the winner!<a href="http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com/2011/10/organic-bloomyou-can-win-free-ornament.html">Photography by DonnaKay: Organic Bloom...YOU can win a FREE ornament mini-frame?</a><br /><br />Also visit my Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://blog.photographybydonnakay.com ... a little more about my life as a photographer...<br /><br /><br />I posted this blog a few days ago - a giveaway that takes just a couple of minutes to enter with a great possibility of winning a FREE Organics Bloom mini-frame (holds a 3x3) -- and have very little response. So, I'm moving the date up to October 16 - that will be the date that a winner is chosen. <br /><br />So ENTER!! I've only had a few enter so far - so chances of winning are looking great right now!! <br /><br />I've sweetened the deal just a bit... but that part is a surprise! -- If you want to enter (AND THIS IS A GIVEAWAY THAT WOULD MAKE ANY FAN HAPPY -- CLIENTS, FRIENDS OR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS) then click on the Title above, which is a link to the Giveaway blog with instructions and Enter today! <br /><br />Thanks!! Have a GREAT day!!!DonnaKay Johnsonhttps://plus.google.com/105987526236775438904noreply@blogger.com